"Unity of effort in homeland response operations has proven over the last decade to be an elusive target. National Guard contributions to homeland response are no exception. Much effort has gone into creation of a dual status commander, and rightfully so. But, much low hanging fruit remains in the form of improvements to National Guard preparedness. A plan, type, source, report cycle supports a National Guard concept for preparedness that enables unity of effort in homeland response operations. The plan, type, source, report concept successfully satisfies a rigorous set of selection criteria and deserves evaluation as an overarching National Guard concept that can be supported by the fifty-four commanders in chief of the National Guard of the various states."